Monthly Archives: April 2012

Apr 25 2012
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Bridal, Events, Fashion

Anita Dongre New Bridal Showroom: WOW!

25th April 2012

How stunning is Anita Dongre’s new showroom? Get me on a plane now!!! I’ve really been struggling to find all my Bridal outfits (the Hindu ceremony is with the capable hands of Mira Taylor but the rest I’m just CLUELESS about!) I’ve picked up the latest issues of Asiana and Viya and I liked NOTHING- well I liked bits and pieces but nothing made me think wow- that’s the one I want. Overall I just found the styles featured a little too bling tastic for me and going to India regularly has spoiled me as a lot of the U.K stores are a little slow in catching up with the new trends. Saying that I probably haven’t scratched the surface of what’s out there and I just need to go visit some more stores – or better still get on a plane! (the reason I’ve been a little reluctant of buying Bridal wear in India is that – ready wear doesn’t always work for me, I’m 5’9 (A giant in Asian girl terms!) and I think if I were to get something made I’d want to be there for the full duration in order for fittings and basically to chase the designer to get things done on time and correctly! (I’ve worked in fashion with Indian factories and learnt the lesson ages ago that to get things done you have to chase, chase, chase!) Well looking at the pics I may just have to go over for a few months- such STUNNING pieces!!!

Love, love, love the peach and pink lenghas!

www.anitadongre.com

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Apr 24 2012
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Fashion, Uncategorized

Meera Sethi : Firangi Rang Bharangi

24th April 2012

I don’t even want to do a massive intro to this post as the imagery speaks for itself – STUNNING. Meera’s work is bold and powerful. She is a master of colour and pattern and her skills are wonderfully displayed in the Firangi Rang Barangi (colourful foreigner) collection. The collection in her words explores ‘the relationship between femininity, dress and hybridity. By combining Eastern and
Western textiles, garments and jewellery, I re-imagine identity across borders. These large acrylic paintings exhibit a fearless use of colour, bold pattern and finely rendered detail. Each is layered with cultural history and personal style. While the surface of these works draw us in, the bodies
that they adorn are barely revealed – an inversion that suggests the role of sartorial expression in creating a sense of self, particularly one rooted in a diasporic, transnational experience.

All images www.meerasethi.com/

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Apr 22 2012
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Bridal, Events, Fashion

JJ Valaya celebrates 20 yrs in the industry

22nd April 2012

Super talent JJ Valaya celebrates twenty years in the industry this year. He started designing in a time when people were only starting to get used to the idea of buying designer wear. At a time were there were limited retail outlets and fashion media and no fashion weeks at all. Fast forward twenty years the fashion landscape has changed dramatically and the JJ Valaya couture line has been successfully joined by JJ Valaya Muse, Valaya Base, Valaya Quantum and Valaya Home. My way of celebrating his anniversary in the industry is to share images from his stunning Decoded Paradox book. His talent extends through the visual arts and his photographic body of work is hauntingly beautiful. He is a true creative force.

Images from www.artofvalaya.com

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Apr 18 2012
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Bridal, Fashion

Label Lust : ISHARYA

18th April 2012

Isharya was founded in 2004 by Radhika Tandon and sis-in-law Gauri. They describe their yum pieces as Bollywood glamour meets California cool- a perfect description for this stunning costume jewellery line. I love the S/s 12 collection so much that I had to narrow it down to my favourite earrings only (otherwise the post would have had 50 odd pics!) Celeb fans include stuning Eva Longaria, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz.

www.isharya.com

Prices start at £50

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Apr 17 2012
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Fashion

He’s on GQ, Vogue, Elle + Cosmo’s radar (and now mine!): TAFJ talks to Manou of Wearabout.

17th April 2012

A few weeks ago I posted ‘Mumbai street adventure with Manou : Guardian’ a short film sharing an insight into the fashion scene by Wearabout blogger Manou. Since viewing the film I’ve poured over the delicious posts in Manou’s blog. Why? Because Manou’s streetstyle blog is diverse and democratic, its not just the young pretty things at fashion week that make it into his blog it could just as easily be a street hawker.

I was lucky enough to get a 5 min interview with the man.

Above a pic of Mr.Wearabout and the following images are from my favourite blog post of his – Tashes and Turbans in Jodhpur.



What does the term Indian Fashion mean to you?

Never really thought about it. Fascinating maybe?


Above and below are pics from the Cobra ad.
Which designers do you think are at the forefront of Indian design (doesn’t have to be just fashion) and why

There are many. Abraham & Thakore Paromita Banerjee. Good aesthetics. Attention to details. Streets and working class people inspired.


What are you’re top three favourite pics posted on your blog and why?

I really have no favourites.


Outside of your blog, I know you work on select collaborations. I really love the Cobra ‘Train’ adverts and the series of short vts you were involved in. The ad recently aired in the U.K and show India in a very different way. How did the collaboration come about? and what was your involvement?

I got an email one day from a London based producer talking about the project and asking if I’d be interested in collaborating with them. They were going to make a film on 3 collborators(music/fashion/food) from India for The Guardian featuring their work. Later I got involved in the TVC. I did street casting for the TVC and bit of general consulting.

Finally, what projects are you working on at the moment?

I’m sorting out images for an exhibition I’m a part of Design India Now at V&A, London. At present, I’m taking a break from all things online. I’ve been writing offline. Have not really taken any projects. Have not even blogged for 25 days. But I’ll be getting back to it soon.

Thanks Manou!

(I’ll be posting info of the upcoming Design India Now at V&A shortly)

And for anyone that’s missed it Cobra’s train. (and no I haven’t been paid to promote it I just like the ad!)

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Apr 14 2012
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Lanvin S/s 12 Amazing Ad Campaign

14th April 2012

Monsieur Alber is a GENIUS and his campaign ads are GENIUS! I loved his a/w 11 ad (models dancing? Pitbull? and a cameo by the man himself? like I said GENIUS!) and I am loving his S/s 12 campaign.

Apr 14 2012
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Fashion

Pernia Qureshi: India’s Super Stylist launches pop up shop

14th April 2012

Super Stylist Pernia Qureshi launches e-pop-up shop. www.perniaspopupshop.com The online shop boasts a selection of the hottest Indian talent with many designers specially creating pieces for the site. (designers include Masaba Gupta, Anamika Khanna, Rita Kumar, Shehla Khan and celebrated jeweller Mahesh Bharany) Pernia is credited with transforming Sonam Kapoor’s style and the stunning styling of the film Aisha (the film might have been a dud but the styling was amazing!) so here’s the place to get a piece of her effortlessly chic style.

Pernia has also dipped her toe into design and the pieces are as expected romantic yet classic in a N.Y less is more kinda way. She models her designs above with her sister.

The prices were a surprise- dresses, blouses and trousers were more in line with Reiss pricing rather than designer prices you’d expect. Only the sari’s and anarkali’s headed north of £200.

Here’s my top three pieces from the site. Yep, I’m having a monochrome moment! They’re ohhh soooo pretty!!! From L-R Ritu Kumar, Varun Bahl, Anamika Khanna

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Apr 13 2012
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Bridal, Fashion

Sana Safinaz Lawn 2012

13th April 2012

I was browsing away on the Phulkari site and came across the delicious new Sana Safinaz Lawn collection. How dreamy is this collection?

Available at pulkari now!

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Apr 13 2012
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Bridal, Events

Every Wedding needs a ‘Kofi Annan’

13th April 2012

I thought it was time I dedicate a post to our experiences of the first few months of Wedding planning. The initial thoughts of each other’s families, the first few compromises and our hiring in of our ‘Kofi’

The Stereotyping

Both families have been guilty of stereotyping the other side. The ‘boy’s’ family presumed being Gujji, we would be tee-total veggies and that our weddings would be simple affairs. Not quite! My cousins wedding last year totalled around ten events that stretched over three weeks which included a Civil ceremony in Sorrento, a Garba weekend and a lavish Wedding reception, the liquor and lamb chops were definitely in attendance! (his was a pretty typical family Wedding for us)

We on the other hand presumed that as Hindu Punjabi’s they would be hard drinking party animals whose weddings would go on for days. Wrong again! Their family Wedding’s include two/three pre events at the family house followed by a one day event which included Civil, Hindu ceremony and reception. Their reception’s finish at 8/9pm and the family then returns to the grooms house to welcome the bride. (We do all that the next day-why waste a good dj/band?!)

Turns out it was us Gujju’s who like a good party.

The Compromises

My family were keen to host the Wedding in Goa (We love it there and visit 2/3 times a year) A five day party in the sun? Mehndi night on the beach? Sangeet on a boat? Yes please! But it was a No from the ‘boy’s’ family. : ( We have managed to somehow meet in the middle (it hasn’t been an easy compromise to reach) we will be hosting a two day event at our chosen venue. The Friday will be our Civil ceremony and Vidhi and the Saturday will be the Hindu ceremony and reception. I’ve even decided to host my Mehndi night near the venue on the Thursday night so even if I can’t get a five day party in Goa I can get a three day party here.

Kofi Annan

Our U.N mediator comes in the form of our event planner; my friend’s husband has been planning weddings for years. (and seeing as their wedding was amazing, I know our wedding is in good hands) We’ve chosen to hire event planners primarily as my mum puts it –‘ I want to enjoy my daughter’s wedding, not spend most of the time running around or cooking to then end up being a tired shell on the actual events’

The other reason is that we get a mediator at the same time, someone that can guide both sides into compromising and planning each factor. Seeing as there were, let’s put it diplomatically ‘tensions’ regarding the choice of a two day wedding the ‘boy’ and I are thinking our ‘Kofi’ will be handy over the bumpy road of wedding planning ahead!

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Apr 12 2012
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Wedding Cake Pops

11th April 2012

How cute?!? Yep, if I’m going to be doing wedding type organising it should be working on the wedding list or sorting engagement cards instead of surfing the internet for cute wedding favours like these! (Well it is technically lunchtime!)

Pictures from www.mybestweddingcakes.blogspot.com there’s a recipe to go with the post for any adventurous bakers

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